The modernized Federal Office Building (FOB) 8, originally built in 1961, will offer a sustainable, Class A office environment for government tenants. The building incorporates a highly efficient MEP system that offers the owner and tenants the upmost in flexibility and reliability. While the primary building users are typical office-based tenants, the required engineering offered numerous design challenges that stretched far beyond a standard project.

The FOB 8 chilled water plant provides critical chilled water supply for air conditioning of the adjacent Ford House Office Building, requiring GHT’s MEP engineering design to ensure continuous plant operation while replacing all chillers, pumps, cooling towers and the existing switchgear. Sustainable design was also a strong focus for the project team. To support the pursuit of a certification level of Gold under the LEED for New Construction & Major Renovations™ rating system, the design includes:

• High efficiency HVAC systems, including energy recovery dedicated outside air  systems (DOAS), demand controlled ventilation, a highly efficient chilled water plant, and native BACNet Building automation system
• Light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
• Green roof
• Stormwater controls
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Transformation of surface parking to green space
• New, contemporary façade with expansive windows to capture daylight and views